Guide assembly

ABSTRACT

A guide assembly may include a first latch, a second latch, a fastening device and a compression device. The first latch may be coupled to the second latch by the fastening device such that the first latch and the second latch are moveable about the fastening device. The first latch may include a plurality of first teeth on at least a portion of the first latch. The first teeth may be configured to engage a first track. The second latch may include a plurality of second teeth on at least a portion of the second latch. The second teeth may be configured to engage a second track.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/429,639 filed Apr. 24, 2009.

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Sheet stacking tray assemblies are known in the art and described in,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,390 to Clark et al. Conventional sheetstacking tray assemblies have one or more adjustable guides. Forexample, a paper tray in a printer typically includes a guide that isadjustable to accommodate paper of different sizes.

However, guides can be shifted out of position when a sheet stackingtray assembly is loaded, unloaded and/or the like. For example, a guidecan be shifted out of position when the dynamic forces of the stack actagainst the guide as a tray is pushed home with force.

When a guide is shifted out of position, the capabilities of theresource that houses the sheet stacking tray assembly are oftencomprised. For example, the resource could be unable to detect thecorrect size of the media that has been loaded. In addition, the mediastack could become offset relative to the machine registration datum,which could affect print quality. In addition, an offset stack mightcause a paper jam. Paper jams, in turn, can frustrate customers and canreduce the overall feeding quality and capabilities of the resource.

SUMMARY

Before the present methods are described, it is to be understood thatthis invention is not limited to the particular systems, methodologiesor protocols described, as these may vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope ofthe present disclosure which will be limited only by the appendedclaims.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, alltechnical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used herein,the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

In an embodiment, a guide assembly may include a first latch, a secondlatch, a fastening device and a compression device. The first latch maybe coupled to the second latch by the fastening device such that thefirst latch and the second latch are moveable about the fasteningdevice. The first latch may include a plurality of first teeth on atleast a portion of the first latch. The first teeth may be configured toengage a first track. The second latch may include a plurality of secondteeth on at least a portion of the second latch. The second teeth may beconfigured to engage a second track.

In an embodiment, a guide assembly may include a first latch, a secondlatch, a fastening device and a compression element. The first latch maybe configured to interlock with the second latch. The first latch andthe second latch may be moveable about the fastening device. The firstlatch may include a plurality of first teeth on at least a portion ofthe first latch, and the first teeth may be configured to engage a firsttrack. The second latch may include a plurality of second teeth on atleast a portion of the second latch. The second teeth may be configuredto engage a second track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent with regard to the following description and accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary guide assembly according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary locking mechanism according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary first latch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary second latch according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary interlocking features of a first latch andsecond latch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary locking mechanism according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates exemplary placement of indents in a tray accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates two exemplary tracks according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4C illustrates a portion of an exemplary ratchet according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly positioned to feed A4SEF sheets according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary view of a tray when a guide assembly isengaged according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly positioned to feedExecutive SEF sheets according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary view of a tray when a guide assembly isengaged according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly positioned to feedcustom-sized sheets according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary view of a tray when a guide assembly isengaged according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of an exemplary guide assembly according toan embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the discussion below, a “sheet” refers to a physicalsheet of paper, plastic and/or other suitable media for printing imagesthereon.

A “resource” refers to a printer, a copier, a multifunction machine orsystem, a xerographic machine or system, or any other type ofreproduction or printing apparatus that is capable of printing images onat least a portion of a sheet.

A “sheet stack” refers to a plurality of sheets arranged vertically. Inan embodiment, a sheet stacking tray assembly may be a component of aresource. In an embodiment, the sheet stacking tray assembly may bemounted in a slide-out paper drawer unit of a resource. For example, aslidable print tray may comprise a sheet stacking tray assembly in aprinter.

In an embodiment, a sheet stacking tray assembly may comprise a tray andone or more guide assemblies. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary guideassembly 100 according to an embodiment. A guide assembly 100 mayinclude a locking mechanism, such as a double latch 105 and/or the like,as illustrated by FIG. 1. In an embodiment, each guide assembly may beindependently repositioned along the length and/or width of the tray soas to accommodate different sheet sizes. In an embodiment, a guideassembly may not be mounted on the tray and may not move with the tray.

In an embodiment, a guide assembly 100 may include one or moreconnection elements 125 such as projections, recesses and/or the like.For example, as illustrated by FIG. 1, the guide assembly 100 may haveone or more hooks or other similar projections. In an embodiment, theguide assembly 100 may have one or more indents or other similarrecesses. In an embodiment, the guide assembly 100 may have acombination of projections and recesses. In an embodiment, one or moreof the connection elements 125 may be integrally formed with the guideassembly.

In an embodiment, one or more of the connecting elements 125 of theguide assembly 100 may be complementary to one or more of the connectingelements of the tray. In an embodiment, one or more of the connectingelements 125 of the guide assembly 100 may connect to and/or interlockwith one or more complementary connecting elements 125 located on thetray. In an embodiment, one or more of the connection elements may beintegrally formed with the tray. For example, the guide assembly 100 mayinclude one or more protrusions that interconnect with one or morerecesses located on the tray. In an embodiment, connecting the guideassembly to the tray via one or more connecting elements may assist inrestraining movement of the guide assembly relative to the tray.

In an embodiment, a double latch 105 may include a first latch 110 and asecond latch 115. FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary double latch 200.FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary first latch 205. FIG. 2C illustrates anexemplary second latch 210.

As illustrated by FIG. 2A, the first latch 205 and/or the second latch210 may include a plurality of teeth 215, 220. The teeth may be locatedon an outer bottom portion of the first latch 205 and/or the secondlatch 210 according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the first latch 205 may be connected to the secondlatch 210 by a snap-fit connection, a press-fit connection, a screw, abolt and/or any other suitable fastening device. In an embodiment, thefirst latch 205 and the second latch 210 may pivot about the connectionand/or fixing. In an embodiment, the first latch 205 may be integrallyformed with the second latch 210.

FIG. 3A illustrates exemplary interlocking features of a first latch 300and second latch 320. As illustrated by FIG. 3A, a first latch 300 mayinclude one or more notches 305, 310, 315. In an embodiment, each notchmay align with and interconnect with a protrusion 325, 330, 335 on asecond latch 320. Although FIG. 3A depicts three protrusions and threenotches, more, fewer, alternate and/or additional protrusions and/ornotches may be used within the scope of this disclosure.

As illustrated by FIG. 3A, the notches 305, 310, 315 may be located on atop portion 340 of the first latch 300 and the protrusions 325, 330, 335may be located on a top portion 345 of the underside 360 of the secondlatch 320. In an embodiment, the notches 305, 310, 315 may be evenlyspaced about the top portion 340 of the first latch 300. Similarly, theprotrusions 325, 330, 335 may be evenly spaced about the top portion ofthe underside 360 of the second latch 320. For example, as illustratedby FIG. 3A, the notches 305, 310, 315 may be arranged in a substantiallytriangular configuration. Similarly, the protrusions 325, 330, 335 maybe arranged in a substantially triangular configuration.

In an embodiment, this interlocking feature may restrict angularmovement between the first latch 300 and the second latch 320. It mayalso minimize a location engagement depth between each latch 300, 320and a fastening device around which each latch may pivot. In anembodiment, the location engagement depth may be the depth of thefastening device. For example, referring to FIG. 3B, when interlocked,the first latch 300 and the second latch 320 may form a double latch350. In an embodiment, the interlocking feature may allow the depth of atop portion 355 of the double latch to be approximately the same depthas the top portion 340 of the first latch 300.

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of an exemplary guide assembly according toan embodiment. As illustrated by FIG. 8, a guide assembly 800 mayinclude one or more restraints 805. A restraint 805 may be moveablycoupled to a tray. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 8, a restraint805 may be configured to surround and move along at least a portion of atrack 810. In an embodiment, a restraint 805 may be fabricated fromplastic, metal and/or other similar materials. A restraint 805 may beintegrally formed with the guide assembly 800. Alternatively, arestraint 805 may be removeably coupled to the guide assembly 800.

In an embodiment, a restraint 805 may be positioned in front of at leasta portion of the locking mechanism 815. For example, as illustrated byFIG. 8, a restraint may be positioned in front of the first latch 820and/or the second latch 825 of a double latch. In an embodiment, arestraint 805 may be positioned so that it is in contact with at least aportion of the locking mechanism 815. For example, as illustrated byFIG. 8, a restraint 805 may be in contact with at least a portion of alatch 820, 825, such as the outer bottom portion of the latch thatincludes a plurality of teeth.

In an embodiment, a restraint 805 may help limit the rotation ormovement of a locking mechanism 815 relative to a guide assembly 800and/or a tray when a force is applied to the tray, the guide assemblyand/or the like. For example, a restraint 805 may prevent a latch 820,825 from rotating or otherwise changing position relative to the guideassembly 800 and/or the tray when the tray is slammed shut. For example,a restraint may restrain a latch in the direction shown by the arrow 830in FIG. 8. It is understood that a locking mechanism or any portionthereof may be restrained in additional and/or alternate directionswithin the scope of this disclosure.

In an embodiment, a tray may include one or more tracks. A track mayinclude one or more indents and/or one or more ratchets. In anembodiment, a track may include linearly spaced indents and/or ratchets.In an embodiment, one or more teeth of the first latch and/or the secondlatch may engage an indent and/or a ratchet. A ratchet may include alinear series of teeth or other similar projections. In an embodiment, aprojection of a ratchet may be spaced a distance away from an adjacentprojection. For example, a projection may be located 1 millimeter awayfrom an adjacent projection. In an embodiment, a ratchet may be moldedinto a tray. A ratchet may be fabricated from plastic, metal and/or anyother suitable material.

In an embodiment, one or more indents may be located at certainpositions in the tray. In an embodiment, one or more indents may includeone or more beveled edges. A beveled edge may assist a latch withengagement with an indent.

In an embodiment, the location of one or more indents may correspond tostandard media width sizes. In an embodiment, a standard media widthsize may be a width associated with media that is commonly used and/oravailable. For example, ISO 216 specifies exemplary standard media widthsizes, such as A3, A4, A5 and the like.

FIG. 4A illustrates a tray having two exemplary tracks 480, 485according to an embodiment. As illustrated by FIG. 4A, the location ofthe indents correspond to standard media width sizes. For example, aplacement of a first indent 400 may correspond to a width sizeassociated with A5 SEF paper. Similarly, a placement of a second indent425 may correspond to a width size associated with Letter SEF paper.

In an embodiment, the location of a first set of indents may correspondto European standard media width sizes, while the location of a secondset of indents may correspond to American standard media width sizes.For example, referring to FIG. 4A, one or more indents associated withEuropean standard width sizes, such as A5 SEF 400, A4 SEF 405 and A3 SEF410 may be located on a first track 480 on a first side of the tray,while one or more indents associated with American standard width sizes,such as Statement SEF 415, Executive SEF 420, Letter SEF 425 and TabloidSEF 430, may be located on a second track 485 on a second side of thetray.

In an embodiment, one or more ratchets and/or one or more indents may belocated along a track 480, 485. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 4A,a track 480 may include three indents 400, 405, 410 and four sets ofratchets 435, 440, 445, 450. As another example, a track 485 may includefour indents 415, 420, 425, 430 and five ratchets 455, 460, 465, 470,475. It is understood that more, fewer and/or alternate indents and/orratchets may be used within the scope of this disclosure.

In an embodiment, the first latch and/or the second latch of a guideassembly may be configured to engage the first track and/or the secondtrack at one or more intervals. In an embodiment, the intervals may bedefined by a distance between adjacent projections of one or moreratchets, a distance between one or more indents and/or the like.

In an embodiment, a first track 480 may be offset from a second track485 by a certain distance. For example, as illustrated by FIG. 4B, afirst track 480 may be offset from a second track 485 by approximately0.5 mm. Additional and/or alternate offset distances may be used withinthe scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 4C illustrates a portion of an exemplary ratchet 435 according toan embodiment. As illustrated by FIG. 4C, a ratchet 435 may include aplurality of projections 490. In an embodiment, one or more of theprojections 490 may have a sloped face 492 and a hardstop face 494. Inan embodiment, one or more of the hardstop faces 494 may be offset fromhorizontal by a certain angle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, ahardstop face 494 may be offset from the horizontal by approximatelyfive degrees.

In an embodiment, the offset angle may assist in forcing the latches ofthe locking mechanism apart from each other when the tray experiences aforce. In an embodiment, each latch may be pulled toward itscorresponding track when a force is applied to the tray. As such, theguide assembly may remain engaged with the tracks even if the tray ismoved, or if a force is applied to the tray and/or the guide assembly,such as a force associated with slamming the tray.

In an embodiment, a first latch of a guide assembly may engage with anindent while a second latch of the guide assembly may engage with aratchet. FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly 500 positionedto feed A4 SEF sheets according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary view of a tray 505 when the guideassembly 500 from FIG. 5A is engaged.

As illustrated by FIG. 5A, the first latch 510 is engaged with an indent515 associated with A4 SEF sheets. As illustrated by FIG. 5B, becausethere is no indent located opposite the indent 515 associated with A4SEF, the second latch 520 may engage with a ratchet 525.

In an embodiment, a first latch of a guide assembly may engage with aratchet, while a second latch of the guide assembly may engage with anindent. FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly 600 positionedto feed Executive SEF sheets according to an embodiment. FIG. 6Billustrates an exemplary view of a tray 605 when the guide assembly 600from FIG. 6A is engaged.

As illustrated by FIG. 6A, the second latch 620 is engaged with anindent 615 associated with Executive SEF sheets. As illustrated by FIG.6B, because there is not indent located opposite the indent 615associated with Executive SEF, the first latch 610 may engage with aratchet 625.

In an embodiment, both the first latch of a guide assembly and a secondlatch of the guide assembly may engage with a ratchet. This may allowthe guide assembly to support custom-sized media widths rather than onlystandard American and/or European media widths. For example, a user mayposition the guide assembly at a certain increment across a range of theratchet. By using the ratchets, a user may set the guide assembly insideor outside of standard media sizes. For example, a projection of aratchet may be spaced approximately 1 millimeter away from an adjacentprojection. The range associated with the tray may be the differencebetween the largest width the tray supports and the smallest width thetray supports. For example, the largest width media a tray may supportmay be 8½×11 LEF having a width of 279.4 mm. The smallest width mediathe tray may support may be 8½×5½SEF having a width of 139.7 mm. Therange associated with this tray may be 139.7 mm (i.e., 279.4 mm-139.7mm). If the ratchet projections are located at approximately every 1millimeter, a user may be able to position the guide at any 1 mmincrement across this range.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary guide assembly 700 positioned to feedcustom-sized sheets according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B illustrates anexemplary view of a tray 705 when the guide assembly 700 from FIG. 7A isengaged. As illustrated by FIG. 7A, the first latch 710 is engaged witha first ratchet 715, while the second latch 720 is engaged with a secondratchet 725 located opposite the first ratchet 715.

In an embodiment, a guide assembly may include a compression element,such as a spring and/or the like. Referring back to FIG. 1, thecompression element 120 may extend from a first latch 110 to a secondlatch 115. In an embodiment, the compression element 120 may facilitatelocking and/or unlocking of the guide assembly 100. For example, tounlock the guide assembly 100, the first latch 110 and the second latch115 may be squeezed together. Pressure applied to the first latch 110and the second latch 115 may compress the compression element 120 whichmay release the first latch 110 and the second latch 115 from engagementwith an indent and/or a ratchet.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also thatvarious presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

1. A guide assembly comprising: a first latch; a second latch; afastening device; and a compression device, wherein the first latch iscoupled to the second latch by the fastening device such that the firstlatch and the second latch are moveable about the fastening device,wherein the first latch comprises a plurality of first teeth on at leasta portion of the first latch, wherein the first teeth are configured toengage a first track, wherein the second latch comprises a plurality ofsecond teeth on at least a portion of the second latch, wherein thesecond teeth are configured to engage a second track.
 2. The guideassembly of claim 1, wherein the guide assembly is configured to lockwhen the first latch engages the first track and the second latchengages the second track.
 3. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein thecompression element comprises a first end coupled to the first latch anda second end coupled to the second latch.
 4. The guide assembly of claim1, wherein the guide assembly is configured to unlock when thecompression element is compressed.
 5. The guide assembly of claim 1,wherein the first latch and the second latch are configured to pivotabout the fastening device.
 6. The guide assembly of claim 1, wherein aplacement of the fastening device restricts angular movement of thefirst latch relative to the second latch.
 7. The guide assembly of claim1, wherein the plurality of first teeth are located on a lower outerportion of the first latch.
 8. The guide assembly of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of second teeth are located on a lower outer portion ofthe second latch.
 9. The guide assembly of claim 1, further comprising arestraint configured to prevent rotation of the first latch when thefirst latch is engaged with the first track.
 10. The guide assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the restraint is configured to: contact at least theportion of the first latch having the plurality of teeth; and move alongat least a portion of the first track.
 11. The guide assembly of claim1, further comprising a restraint configured to prevent rotation of thesecond latch when the second latch is engaged with the second track. 12.The guide assembly of claim 11, wherein the restraint is configured to:contact at least the portion of the second latch having the plurality ofteeth; and move along at least a portion of the second track.
 13. Aguide assembly comprising: a first latch; a second latch; a fasteningdevice; and a compression element, wherein the first latch is configuredto interlock with the second latch, wherein the first latch and thesecond latch are moveable about the fastening device, wherein the firstlatch comprises a plurality of first teeth on at least a portion of thefirst latch, wherein the first teeth are configured to engage a firsttrack, wherein the second latch comprises a plurality of second teeth onat least a portion of the second latch, wherein the second teeth areconfigured to engage a second track.
 14. The guide assembly of claim 13,wherein: the first latch comprises a plurality of notches located on atop portion of the first latch, the second latch comprises a pluralityof protrusions located on a top portion of an underside of the secondlatch, wherein each notch corresponds to at least one protrusion, andeach protrusion is configured to interconnect with a correspondingnotch.
 15. The guide assembly of claim 14, wherein a depth of a topportion of a double latch is substantially equal to a depth of the topportion of the first latch, wherein the double latch comprises the firstlatch interconnected to the second latch.
 16. The guide assembly ofclaim 14, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured torestrict angular movement between the first latch and the second latch.17. The guide assembly of claim 14, wherein: the plurality of notchesare evenly spaced about the top portion of the first latch, and theplurality of protrusions are evenly spaced about the top portion of theunderside of the second latch.
 18. The guide assembly of claim 13,wherein the guide assembly is configured to lock when the first latchengages the first track and the second latch engages the second track.19. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the compression elementcomprises a first end coupled to the first latch and a second endcoupled to the second latch.
 20. The guide assembly of claim 13, whereinthe guide assembly is configured to unlock when the compression elementis compressed.
 21. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the firstlatch and the second latch are configured to pivot about the fasteningdevice.
 22. The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality offirst teeth are located on a lower outer portion of the first latch. 23.The guide assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of second teethare located on a lower outer portion of the second latch.